5/16/2013
Contact: Amy Bernstein
202-366-0706

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA.—Federal Transit Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan today attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly modernized and rehabilitated Primos Station—a busy transit rail station in suburban Philadelphia’s Clifton Heights neighborhood that is part of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) system. The station upgrades include making the station compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and adding parking spaces for commuters.

“All across the United States, this Administration is committed to bringing aging transit facilities like SEPTA’s Primos Station into a state of good repair,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Investing in our nation’s public transportation infrastructure improves access to jobs, reduces congestion on our roadways, and keeps our economy moving forward.”

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provided approximately $5.2 million toward the $8.3 million project. The remaining funds were provided by state and local government. The station, which hosts roughly 700 rail transit trips each week day, is served by SEPTA’s Media/Elwyn Regional Rail Line, as well as the Route 107 bus. Improvements include a new inbound station building with ticket office and waiting area, new high-level accessible platforms and ADA-compliant stairways and ramps with handrails and guard rails. Other improvements include a modern new passenger shelter, new bike racks and new platform lighting and signage. The project also expands an existing parking lot adjacent to the station along Secane Avenue, which will add 55 new parking spaces upon completion later this summer.

“These improvements on one of the nation’s oldest transit rail lines make it easier, safer and more convenient than ever for commuters, seniors, families with young children, people with disabilities and others to take the train downtown to get to work, to visit shops and restaurants and to reach other destinations,” said FTA Deputy Administrator McMillan.

Since 2009, FTA has awarded approximately $1.06 billion to SEPTA for a range of transit rail and bus projects to bring one of the nation’s largest and oldest transit systems into a state of good repair. This includes funds for renovating Wayne Junction Substation and major transit stations—such as City Hall, Girard, and Spring Garden stations—and replacing aging commuter rail vehicles.